Modularized custom beverage brewer

ABSTRACT

A modularized fabricated custom formed beverage brewer of the type incorporating a component housing containing a hot water heating tank regulated by controls, with the heated water from the tank being further transferred to a spray head assembly, for discharge onto a basket of beverage grounds for dripping of a brewed beverage into a decanter for its consumption, the housing receiving its water from a cold water inlet or by a pour-in deliver of water, the housing being convertible for multiple usage through replacement and relocation of select of its components, the housing incorporating a base member, an upright column, and an upper cantilevered portion, the housing being formed for disposition either as front, left, or right side delivery form of brewer, legs may be provided for supporting the housing, and additional or multiple warming units may be coupled with the housing to facilitate its convenient usage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application comprises a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 041,878, filed on Apr. 12, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,888,both of which applications are owned by a common assignee.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to means for modularizing theconstruction of a custom fabricated beverage brewer for use in themaking of coffee, tea, for heating water, and for related types ofbrewing, wherein the assembly can be easily fabricated fromprefabricated components, the brewer being modified for differing uses,and can be easily serviced through the replacement of premanufacturedparts such as require replacement during servicing.

There are a great number of beverage brewers, particularly of the coffeetype, that have long been available upon the market. Examples of some ofthe earlier coffee making machines are shown in Bunn U.S. Pat. No. RE.25,663. Other earlier patents include those to the same inventor, underU.S. Pat. Nos. 3,034,417, 3,100,434, 3,793,935, 3,610,132, 3,593,650,3,608,471, 3,450,024, 3,691,932, 3,385,201, 3,336,856, 3,220,334,3,149,556, 2,551,219, 2,561,134, 3,425,337, 3,425,338, 3,369,477, and3,959,502. Earlier patents to the same or other inventors upon relatedinventions are shown in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,771,432, 3,793,934,3,736,155, 3,691,933, 3,608,471, 3,593,650, 3,385,201, 3,336,856,3,220,334, 3,425,337, 3,369,477, and 3,425,338. Most of the foregoingpatents show early embodiments for coffee brewing devices wherein thehot water overflow, the cold water pour-in, or the siphoning type ofcoffee making principles were embodied within their respectively shownapparatuses.

Design patents relating to this technology include No. Des. 274,029, No.Des. 229,897, No. Des. 239,756, No. Des. 239,757, No. Des. 241,219, No.Des. 269,325, and No. Des. 280,377.

Of more recent vintage are coffee brewing apparatus wherein controls forits operations such as through electronic means are shown. These areshown in such United States patents as Martin U.S. Pat. No. 3,494,276,which is upon a cold water pour-in beverage apparatus. This is a typewherein cold water poured into its hot water tank displaces previouslyheated water, thereby allowing for the overflow of the hot water to itsspray head assembly for brewing of coffee contained within a basket andfor its dripping into its available decanter.

The Daugherty U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,552, shows another form of coffeemaking machine, wherein its cold water basin is integrally formed withthe upper contiguous edge of the hot water tank, such that its basinmates with the upper edge of said tank in its assembly and locationwithin the shown coffee making machine.

The Stover U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,981, shows another form of beveragemaking machine with hot water faucet, wherein, in this particularinstance, the hot water faucet draws its heated water directly from itshot water tank, thereby potentially giving rise to a miscalculation ordisruption in the precise quantity of hot water delivered to its sprayhead assembly, during the coffee brewing process.

The Daugherty U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,775, shows another variation upon acoffee making machine. In this particular instance, the hot water tankof this device is a one piece and integral, inverted L-shapedreceptacle, having its cold water basin, and the hot water tank, formedas a single unit. Its cold water basin has an opening therein that mateswith the top opening of its hot water tank. One of the problemsassociated with this type of device is that it does require andnecessitate the inclusion of a vent tube, of the type as shown therein,in order to prevent the development of pressure, or a vacuum source,that can disrupt and designed operations for the machine during itscoffee brewing process.

The Zimmerman U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,139, shows a beverage making machine,and defines a combination of either an automatic or cold water pour-inbrewing apparatus. It also incorporates various opening and closingvalve means for regulating the flow of cold water through the cold waterin line, and into the machine basin.

The Daugherty U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,757, shows a beverage brewingapparatus, which is basically upon the application of a bracket asmounted onto its tank cover, of the hot water reservoir, as disposedwithin the upper portion of its housing, with the bracket having aterminal block mounted upon it, and including a regulatable thermostatin combination with numerous conductors for providing electricalconnection of the tank with its housing and electrical source.

The Martin U.S. Pat. No. 3,736,155, shows another form of cold waterpour-in beverage maker with blanket heater and bi-metallic thermostat,for regulating and controlling the heating of the water within its shownwater tank.

The Martin U.S. Pat. No. 3,691,933, discloses another form of automaticcoffee brewer with liquid level sensor. A further Martin U.S. Pat. No.3,793,935, shows another form of automatic coffee maker with liquidlevel sensor and siphon control.

Finally, the Stover U.S. Pat. No. 4,531,046, is upon a beverage brewingapparatus with constant temperature water reservoir. It includes atemperature sensing element, in the form of a thermistor, disposedwithin a hollow heat conductive tube that extends into its hot watertank, in order to provide temperature control of the water thereinthrough a regulation of its heating element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates principally to beverage brewers, and morespecifically pertains to a modularized custom beverage brewer which isfabricated of various components that are interchangable to provide abrewer that may have a wide variety of usage and application in therestaurant and related businesses, and be used under a variety ofconditions through constructive modifications for servicing varioussized decanters depending upon the uniqueness of the installation.

This invention contemplates the formation of a beverage brewer, andwhether it be used for the brewing of coffee, tea, or relatedsubstances, and is formed, from an outward appearance, to be assembledto a similar shape to that of many of beverage brewers currently uponthe market, but in practice, comprises a fabricated style of brewerformed from a variety of preshaped wall components, that are fabricatedinto a base member, an upright column means, and an upper cantileveredportion, with these various walls and other components being easilyremovable, and replaceable, as desired, and as required. For example,the upper cantilevered portion of this identified brewer is shapedhaving a front wall, and parts of the side walls for the housing, andapertures are provided at various predetermined locations within andthrough these various walls, with said brewer being adaptable to providefor either the front, left, or right side delivery of a decanter to thebrewer, and the installation of a control switch panel, upon one of theidentified wall apertures, in order to conveniently arrange the on-offand brew switches for the device conveniently disposed at a locationwhere the restaurant service people can easily have access to the same,during operations of the apparatus. Where the remaining apertures aredisposed through the other walls of the cantilevered portion, dummyplate means may be installed thereon, so as to close them off, andprovide a rather streamlined appearance for the brewer, at these otherlocations.

In addition, the control switch panel means may also include means formounting of a faucet, which provides for the dispensing of hot watersimply upon the manipulation of its handle by the user. To achieve theforegoing results, and to further accommodate the user of thisinstrument and add to their convenience, the underside of thecantilevered portion for the brewer includes the usual pair of basketrails, of the type that are designed for accommodating the slidinginsertion and fitting of the brew basket, its filter, and the groundsthereto, but in this particular instance, these rails are replaceable,and can be located either in a front-to-back configuration, as when thebrewer is installed head on, and used in that manner, or the rails canbe removed, and relocated in a side-to-side configuration, for providingfor the side delivery of the brew basket, and the decanter, to thebeverage brewer, during its installation and application. In otherwords, the beverage brewer of this invention, and its housing, iscompletely convertible for multiple usage through the replacement andrelocation of select of its components during the initial assembly ofthe brewer housing, in its preparation for application within therestaurant.

As previously explained, this beverage brewer is fabricated of modularcomponents, so that it can be assembled for application for a variety oftypes of uses and applications, either as a front on beverage brewer, ora left or right side installation, as may be desired by the user, andwhich may be dictated by the circumstances of the space available forits installation.

The housing for this brewer further includes means for interchanging ofits base member, with one base member, which may be removable from theunderside of its upright column means, provides for the lower and morestandard style cantilevered form of base member, that extends forwardlyof the upright column, and generally exposes a heating or warming unitthereon, and upon which a decanter may be applied, for reception of thebrewed beverage during its making. These type bases allow for thedeposit of the decanter thereon, to sustain the warming of its containedbeverage, after its brewing, and while awaiting its dispensing andconsumption. In addition, this type of a cantilevered lower base membermay be removed, as an indication of the modular aspects of thisinvention, and replaced by a vertically extending type of housing, thatsimply extends the height of the upright column means, in order toincrease the height of the base member, and the column means, and forthat matter the entire beverage brewer, so that decanters of greaterheight may be used thereunder, as when a beverage is being brewed fordirect deposit into an airpot, or tea decanter, of the type that usuallyhave significantly more height and/or volume of liquid than the averagecoffee beaker or decanter. Thus, a simple removal of one base member, byanother, readily converts the entire beverage brewer to one that hasfurther usage and application as compared to that which is normallyavailable in the standard brewer in the prior art. In addition, whereeven further or greater height may be required for the brewer, it islikely that legs may be installed onto the underside of the added baseof the upright column means, or its extension, to add further extendedheight to the brewer, for accommodating a decanter of any predeterminedheight or size.

The internal components for the beverage brewer of this inventionincludes a style of hot water heating tank, that is regulated by avariety of controls in the category of a thermostat, water supply valve,timer, and related electronic components, that are useful in applicationfor regulating the precise heating of water and brewing of beverages asrequired. Generally, to further add to the facility of this apparatus, arear support panel is removably secured within the said upright columnmeans of the invention. Said support panel is disposed for holdingselect of the controls as previously alluded to, and with said supportpanel, and its held controls, being readily removable from the brewer,in order to facilitate the servicing of the device, during usage.Likewise, the support panel is shaped including a variety of components,including upper and lower flanges, in order to reinforce the same, inits installation, and likewise, the flanges are designed foraccommodating the mounting of various other controls, such as anelectrical plug-in outlet, in addition to the main electrical supplycable leading to the apparatus, and which provides electrical energy forits operations. Furthermore, the support panel is designed for mountingof the rear wall or panel for the back wall of the device, to provide itsupport in its installation and in the furnishing of the rear closurefor the apparatus, during assembly.

Further internal controls and mechanisms applied during the installationof this apparatus include, as previously explained, the hot waterheating tank, having the heater disposed therein, and which tank furthermounts other controls, with the entire tank, and all of its supplylines, being readily and easily removable, when replacement may berequired as due to deterioration or malfunctioning of any one component.Thus, servicing of this apparatus may be conveniently and facilely doneby the service man, mainly expedited through replacement of the entiremodularized components. The device further includes a series of walls,such as a pair of left and right side walls, a staggered shaped frontwall, a top wall, and which top wall may further include variousinstruments thereon, such as the intake port for accommodating thepour-in of cold water when the device is used in that manner, or mayfurther include either, or in addition, other warming units thereon,furnishing means for holding a beaker of freshly brewed coffee or tea,to keep it heated, until consumption. In addition, a further housing maybe mounted thereon, at a rearward segment of the top wall, and haveanother warming unit installed thereat, so as to provide a slightlyelevated disposition for yet another decanter of beverage, and keep itwarmed, until usage.

The base member for this invention includes an upper support, formed asan upwardly disposed plate, having integral side flanges formedextending downwardly therefrom, and a lower plate that is removablysecured to said upper support, generally by means of fasteners, which inthe preferred embodiment, the fasteners are formed as mounts, thatthreadedly engage the base member into an integral structure, with themounts likewise forming the legs for the entire brewer assembly onceinstalled. An upright wall formed across the lower plate of the basemember provides a segregation between a front and back spacing withinthe base member, so that the heat formed and generated by the warmingunit installed upon the front and upper surface of the upper support,does not migrate to its rearward segment thereof, nor cause anydeterioration to the electronic and electrical controls installed inproximity therewith, as upon the rear support panel, as previouslyexplained.

Further attributes of this invention include the disposition of aseparate water heater within the water heating vessel or tank, and whichpreferably may be formed as a coiled tube heater, with a separate andindependent source of water supplying water directly to the coiledheater, for delivery of hot water to the aforementioned faucet, orelsewhere for usage, as required. Thus, by supplying an auxiliary sourceof heated water through usage of this designed apparatus, the control ofthe water delivered to the hot water tank, and whether it be by means ofa pour-in style of initiation of a brewing cycle, or by means of theautomatic cold water inlet supply mode employed for a brewing cycle, thewater furnished by these two modes of brewing operation is not impairedwhen hot water may be supplied by the auxiliary means to its faucet as asource of supplemental heated water for usage by the consumer.

It is, therefore, the principal object of this invention to provide amodularized form of custom beverage brewer which, during its assembly,can be fabricated or modified to adapt its form for application to theparticular type of installation required.

Another object of this invention is to provide a beverage brewer whichcan be assembled for front, left or right side delivery of its decanterof beverage, and the corresponding insertion or removal of its brewbasket.

A further benefit of this invention is exhibited through the ease ofinterchanging the setting for this beverage brewer from either a frontor side delivery and control type of apparatus.

A further object of this invention is to provide a beverage brewerreadily assembled from the modular form of components, fabricated from avariety of removable wall structures, so that the device can be shippedas a composite of parts, and easily assembled into that type ofinstallation desired by the user.

A further object of this invention is to provide a beverage brewer inwhich its various components can be readily removed, and replaced byother components, which may convert the brewer from the standard stylecoffee brewer, to a high rise type of beverage brewer that canaccommodate the direct brewing of tea, or other beverages, into anairpot, or a hightened and elongated decanter.

Another object of this invention is to provide a beverage brewer whereits intake water pan, or bowl, in addition to its water heating tank,and any controls mounted thereon, may be easily and facilely removed, asrequired for installation and servicing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a beverage brewer inwhich an auxiliary hot water supply, through the arrangement of aseparate water flow tube, such as a coil tube, disposed within the waterheating tank, can be furnished with a totally discrete supply of heat,for heating a supplemental supply of water, thereby obviating the needto draw upon the normal supply of heated water contained within thewater tank and which is generally gauged for precise usage andapplication in the brewing of a decanter of a beverage, such as coffee,tea, or the like, and not for draw off by an auxiliary faucet. A furtherobject of this invention is to provide means for adding additionalwarming units to the upper or top surface or wall of the beveragebrewer, through the application of supplemental housing means, forsupport of other warming units, in a staggered fashion, so as to add tothe convenience for deposit or removal of other beakers of coffee, orthe like, therefrom.

Another object of this invention is to provide a single or doublewarming unit housing for functioning as an auxiliary or lateral mount toa beverage brewer for accommodating additional freshly brewed beakers ofcoffee, or the like, for ready delivery by the user, such as thewaitress of waiter within a restaurant.

Another object of this invention is to facilitate the interchangabilityof all tank and heating elements contained within a custom fabricatedbeverage brewer.

Another object of this invention is to add to the interchangability ofall warmers and switches contained within a beverage brewer.

A further advantage of this invention is to add to the interchangabilityand replacement of all control valves within a beverage brewer.

A further object of this invention is to add to the interchangability ofthe brew baskets, their mounting rails, and the spray heads used inassociation therewith.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide for the ease ofconversion from a pour-over style to an automatic brewing type ofbeverage brewer, all of which conversions are designed for easyinstallation into the brewer during its initial fabrication.

A further object of this invention is to provide a brewer that can beeasily converted into an airpot brewer.

Another object of this invention is to provide a brewer that can beeasily converted to a tea brewer.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide for the conversion ofthe warmer assembly for a brewer from a single warmer to a multi or sixwarmer installation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a beverage brewerthat can easily accommodate one or more auxiliary faucets for furnishingheated, or even cold, water for supplemental usage other than forbrewing purposes.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a beverage brewer inwhich all parts are readily interchangable.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a beverage brewer,that is quite versatile, and because of the interchangability of itsparts, can be readily field serviced, thereby eliminating the timedelaying need for returning of the entire brewer back to themanufacturer.

Another significant object of this invention is to provide a brewerwhich is of modular design, and therefore can be assembled into avariety of differing types of beverage brewers, thereby minimizing thenumber of component parts required to be warehoused and inventoried bythe manufacturer in preparation for manufacturing and assemblingoperations.

These and other objects may become more apparent to those skilled in theart upon reviewing the description of the preferred embodiment providedherein, in view of its drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 provides an isometric view of thecustom beverage brewer of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a back view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a partial view of the brewer as disclosed in FIG. 1, with theoperating control panel being changed from the front to a right sidemount;

FIG. 5 is a similar view of the top of the brewer as shown in FIG. 4,with the control panel being located upon a left side surface;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the brewer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a back view of the brewer with its back panel being removed;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the brewer of FIG. 1, with the top panelremoved;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the brewer of FIG. 1, showing also the coverplate for the pour-in port;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the control panel plate for the brewer;

FIG. 11 is an edge view of the control panel of FIG. 10, showing itsinternally disposed fasteners for securment by the threaded lock nutswithin the interior of the brewer;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the brewer housing, its various walls andarranged plates, and its hot water tank.

FIG. 13 is top view of the brewer with its pour-in basin removed;

FIG. 14 is an internal view of the water heating tank showing thevarious heaters and controls in addition to the water flow linesconnecting therewith;

FIG. 15 is an underside view of the basket supporting rails beneath thespray head assembly;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the spray head assembly;

FIG. 17 is a side and partial sectional view of the spray head;

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the spray head;

FIG. 19 is a view of the connection between the hot water tube and thetank lid;

FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a modification to the brewer of thisinvention;

FIG. 21 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 22 is a back view thereof;

FIG. 23 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 24 is a partial isometric view of the brewer of FIG. 20, showingits control panel repositioned to a left side thereof;

FIG. 25 is a partial isometric view of the brewer of FIG. 20, showingits control panel repositioned to a right side thereof;

FIG. 26 is a top view of the brewer shown in FIG. 20, disclosing bothits warming unit and its pour-in port with lid;

FIG. 27 is a top view of the brewer disclosed in FIG. 20, with its toppanel removed;

FIG. 28 is a side view of the control panel plate for the brewer;

FIG. 29 is an edge view disclosing how the control panel secures byfasteners to either the front or sides of the brewer;

FIG. 30 is a back view of the brewer of FIG. 20 with its back panelremoved;

FIG. 31 is a top view of the brewer of FIG. 20 with its pour-in basinand top panel removed;

FIG. 32 is a sectional side view of the hot water tank disclosing itsvarious controls for the brewer disclosed in FIG. 20;

FIG. 33 discloses an isometric view of a modification to the custombeverage brewer of this invention;

FIG. 34 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 35 is a back view thereof;

FIG. 36 is an isometric view of a further modified custom beveragebrewer of this invention;

FIG. 37 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 38 is a back view thereof;

FIG. 39 is a further back view of the modified brewer of this invention,as shown in FIG. 38, with its back panel removed;

FIG. 40 is a top view of the brewer disclosed in FIG. 33, with its toppanel removed;

FIG. 41 is a partial front view of the brewer shown in FIG. 33, with itscontrol panel removed;

FIG. 42 is a partial right side view of the brewer of FIG. 33 with itscontrol panel removed;

FIG. 43 is a bottom view of the brewer of FIG. 33;

FIG. 44 is a back view of the intermediate modular control panel thatfastens within the back of the custom beverage brewers as shown in FIG.1, 20, 33, and 36;

FIG. 45 is a left edge view of the control panel of FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 is a right edge view of the control panel shown in FIG. 44;

FIG. 47 is a bottom view of the control panel shown in FIG. 44;

FIG. 48 is a top view of the control panel as shown in FIG. 44;

FIG. 49 is a front view of a modified control panel for the identifiedbrewers;

FIG. 50 is a left edge view thereof;

FIG. 51 is a right edge view thereof;

FIG. 52 is a top view of one of the brewers disclosing the location ofits water heating tank, the controls, its spray head assembly, and thesupplemental hot water faucet for use in conjunction therewith;

FIG. 53 is a side view thereof, with a side wall partially broken away;

FIG. 54 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 55 is a side view of a side panel for the brewer;

FIG. 56 is a top edge view thereof;

FIG. 57 is a back edge view thereof;

FIG. 58 is a bottom edge view thereof, taken along line 58--58 of FIG.55;

FIG. 59 is a top view of the front panel for a brewer, such as shown inFIG. 54;

FIG. 60 is back or inside view of the front panel shown in FIG. 59;

FIG. 61 is a side edge view of the front panel for the brewer;

FIG. 62 is a back view of a rear side panels support;

FIG. 63 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 64 is a side view thereof, taken along the line 64--64 of FIG. 63;

FIG. 65 is an underside view of the top panel;

FIG. 66 is an end view thereof;

FIG. 67 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 68 is a top view of the interior of the base plate;

FIG. 69 is an end view thereof;

FIG. 70 is a side edge view thereof;

FIG. 71 is a view of the outside of the back plate;

FIG. 72 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 73 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 74 is a side edge view thereof;

FIG. 75 is a top view of the tank locating plate;

FIG. 76 is an edge view thereof;

FIG. 77 is an electrical schematic for the brewer of this invention;

FIG. 78 is a front view of a double warming unit for use in conjunctionwith the custom beverage brewer of this invention;

FIG. 79 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 80 is a right side view thereof; and

FIG. 81 is a right side thereof, disclosing a modification, with thetransfer of its control panel to its right side.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In referring to the drawings, and in particular FIG. 1, the modularformed custom fabricated beverage brewer B of this invention isgenerally disclosed. The brewer is essentially fabricated of a varietyof modular components, but when assembled, generally is configured toform an upright column section, as at 1, and in which the hot waterheating tank (not shown) in addition to the electronic controls, aredisposed, with said section mounting upon a base member 2, which in oneembodiment, as shown, extends forwardly of the brewer and incorporates awarming unit, as at 3, and upon which a decanter or beaker (not shown)may rest, for reception of any beverage being brewed by the maker, andfor sustaining the warmth of the brewed beverage, once a brewing cyclehas been completed. Located integrally upon the upright column section 1is an upper cantilevered portion 4, which likewise extends forwardly ofthe aforesaid section, and generally arranges the brew basket (notshown) at a position where the hot water delivered to it will migratethrough its filter, and held grounds, for its dripping into a supportedbeaker as normally arranged thereunder. As can further be seen, variousports are provided upon the top surface of the cantilevered portion 4,such as another warming unit, as at 5, and a water inlet or intake port6, through which water may be poured, when the brewer functions in thepour-in mode for brewing of a beverage during application and usage ofthis apparatus. Also disclosed upon the upper cantilevered portion 4 ofthe brewer are various closure plates, as at 7, and a control switchpanel, as at 8, which is provided for holding the various switches, suchas the OFF-ON switch 9, and a brew cycle initiation switch, as at 10, inaddition to an illuminating light, as at 11, for indicating when thebrewer is maintained in an "ON" condition. Obviously, as willsubsequently be defined, various other switches, or controls, valves, orthe like, may be exposed upon this panel 8, depending upon the variousoperations that are built in and can be attained from a fabricatedbrewer constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

To provide a little further insight into the actual fabrication of thebrewer of this basic design, and the various components that arefabricated into the structured apparatus, attention is directed to FIG.12. As can be seen therein, the brewer B incorporates a pair of sidewalls 11 and 12, having the upright portions 13, and their integralcantilevered segments 14, with each of the side walls incorporating anopening, as at 15, for accommodation of either the location of a controlswitch panel, as at 8, or a dummy or closure panel, of the type as shownat 7, as explained in the aforementioned FIG. 1. Providing closure forthe front end of the apparatus is a shaped but staggered front wall 16which includes a downwardly extending panel 17, and a forwardlyextending an integral panel 18, with said panel 18 having an opening, asat 19, provided therein, and in which the spray head assembly, to besubsequently analyzed, locates during fabrication of the apparatus. Anadditional and upwardly extending front wall 20 is provided, having anopening, as at 21, provided therethrough, and into which either thecontrol switch panel 8, or the closure panel 7, may be affixed,depending upon whether the brewer of the apparatus is designed for afront end usage, or whether it is designed for a left or a right sideapplication.

Within the back of the brewer B, and arranged intermediately of the sidewalls 11 and 12 is a rear support panel 22, which is disposed foraffixing either to the side walls, or structured to the upper and lowerwalls of the apparatus, and various electronic and other controlinstruments and components, usually mount upon this panel, within theassembled apparatus, so as to generally locate all of these controls atone location, meaning that when any problem is encountered, back panel23 may be easily removed, and the entire support parcel 22 replaced, tofacilitate the servicing this brewer. The various controls may mount atselect locations upon the rear support panel 22, with the panelincorporating upper and lower flanges 24 and 25, respectively, tofurnish supporting surfaces where the components may be installed, andto further add to the reinforcement of this panel. In addition, thelower flange 25 includes an upright portion 26, which may include afurther opening, as at 27, provided therethrough, and to which anelectrical outlet may be installed, to provide further service for thebrewer, and to which other electrical cables may connect, to attain asource of electrical energy for other applications. A further inturnedflange 28 is provided, having a series of pins, as at 29, extendingupwardly therefrom, and which provides a form of supporting surface, andlocking means, for engagement through the lower flange 30 of the backpanel 23, to support it during its installation. An upper integralflange 31 is provided for reinforcement of the back panel, at thislocation, and to generally rigidify the assembly at this position.

As an alternative to the rear support panel 22, and for use when thetank in the brewer is of the shorter and greater diameter type, therebyeliminating the space for the panel 22, a horizontal drawer type support22a may be employed, and fit under the tank, in a horizontal position,by sliding through an opening in the front wall 17, and having its frontplate being affixed thereto. All of the same controls may mount upon thedrawer 22a, and provide an easy assembly for their collectiveinstallation or removal.

A transverse support 32 is disposed for spanning the spacing between theupper back corners of the side walls 11 and 12, to rigidify the brewerat this location. And, the upper flange 31 of the back panel 23 isdesigned for resting upon the upper surface of the transverse support32, when assembled into closure.

With the locating of the side walls 11 and 12 into position, held bymeans of the front wall 16, the transverse support 32, the rear supportpanel 22, and the back panel 23, the general frame work of the brewercan be determined, and which forms the aforesaid upright column section1, into which the water heating tank T, and its controls, locate, andare held into position during brewer assembly. Generally, the tank willbe affixed into position by having its frontal edge braced upon theupward surface, proximate the location 33, of the front wall 16, wherenoted Upon the water heating tank T there is disposed a pan P, which isdesigned for receiving any water that may be either poured into thebrewer in initiation of a brewing cycle, or which may be automaticallydelivered from a cold water inlet supply, through the operations oftimer means and interconnected valve, for delivery of a select quantityof water to the pan, and consequently to its water heating tank T,during functioning of a brewing cycle. A top wall 34 is provided, havinga series of downwardly depending front and rear flanges 35, and sideflanges 36, for overlying the top edges of the side walls, the frontwall, and the back panel 23, after the brewer has been assembled. Thetop wall may include one or more openings therethrough, as at 36a, andwhich may contain either a warming unit, of the type as previouslydescribed at 5, or, as shown, may include a filtered or screened intakeport, as at 37, and through which water may be poured when the brewer isfunctioning in the category of a pour-in cycle of beverage brewingoperation. These warming units, and intake ports, have already beendescribed with respect to the components 5 and 6, as previouslyexplained with respect to the assembled unit as shown in FIG. 1.

The base member 2 for the brewer is fabricated from an upper support orbase 38, having an opening, as at 39, provided therethrough, and intowhich a warming unit, such as that identified at 3, may locate duringbrewer assembly. The support 38 includes depending side flanges 40, andinwardly bent flanges 41, all of which add rigidity to the upper supportduring its installation. A pair of pins, as at 187, extend upwardly fromthe approximate back edge of the support 38, and upon said pins theflange 25 of the rear support panel 22 locates. Also upon the base 38locates an insulating plate 43, as noted, to provide further structuralsupport and confinement of that upright column section in which thewater heating tank T locates. There may be an aperture, as at 44,provided through the plate 43 and through which the various electricalcables may insert, and in addition, there are the pair of apertures, asat 45, and through which additional pins 45a locate, when positioning ofthe plate 43 into its operative location. To rigidify the base member 2,a lower plate 46 is provided, having front and rear upstanding integralflanges 47 and 48, and which when mated with the upper support plate 38,within its bent in flanges 41, provides an enclosed structure ofsignificant rigidity so as to provide full and stable support for anybrewer assembled thereon While a variety of methods may be used forassembling the upper support 38 and the lower plate 46 into closure, inthe preferred embodiment, a series of mounts, shaped in the form ofrubber pads 49, having upstanding threaded fasteners 50, locate throughthe apertures 51, and threadedly engage with retainer nuts (not shown)aligned with and welded to the underside of the upper support 38, sothat by turning of the mounts 49, they will threadedly screw and fastenthese two components rigidly together, to form the structured base 2.

The base member 2 may be fabricated into various spacings, in order tocompartmentalize the base, and this may be achieved through the additionof a transverse plate 52, so as to separate the heat as generated in theforward segment of the base member by means of the warming unit 3, fromany cables or conductors that may locate in or proximate the rearwardsegment of the said formed base member.

With the aforesaid general description of the structural components thatare fabricated into the housing for this brewer, select components, andtheir arrangement for attaining particular results, within the assembledbrewer, can be more completely understood.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, which is a front view of the brewer, thecontrol switch panel 8 may be replaced with a closure plate, such as theplate 53, equivalent to the plate 7, where the brewer is to be convertedfrom a front operating brewer, as shown in FIG. 1, to a side functioningtype. As also noted herein, various rails, as at 54 and 55, are providedfor accommodating the sliding insertion of the brew basket (not shown),when it is located into position for performance of a brewing cycle.Obviously, when the brewer of this invention is being converted into aside type installation, and that is where the brew basket may be slid ineither from the left or right hand side, then these rails 54 and 55 maybe converted from a front to back disposition, as shown in FIG. 2, to aside-to-side configuration. This will be subsequently analyzed.

FIG. 3 provides a back view of the brewer assembly. It includes its topwall 34, the back panel 23, the lower support flange 26 of theapparatus, in addition to its base member 2. As previously commented, anelectrical receptacle, as at 56, may be provided through the lowersupport panel 26, or its upstanding flange, and the main electricalcable, as at C, may insert therethrough to conduct electrical energy tothe various operating components, controls, and electricalinstrumentations, contained therein, and supported by that rear supportpanel as previously analyzed, that locates behind the rear panel 23, asaforesaid.

FIGS. 4 and 5 disclose how the brewer of this assembly may be convertedfrom a front operating brewer, to the side functioning type. Forexample, as can be seen in FIG. 4, the control switch panel 8 has beenrelocated to an affixed within the left side wall 11. As a result, theclosure plate 7 is now installed upon the upstanding wall 20 of thefront wall 16. In addition, in this particular instance, it can be seenthat the pour-in style of water intake port 37 locates proximate thefrontal segment of the top wall 34.

In the alternative, the brewer may be fabricated to function as a rightside assembly, having the control switch panel 8 located within theright side wall 12 of the apparatus. In addition, the closure plate 7will continue to close off the opening 21 provided through theupstanding front wall 20. As a further alternative, one of the warmingunits, such as 5, may be located at the front segment of the top wall34, in lieu of the water intake port 37, as previously explained. Thisindicates the ease at which the various modular components that make upthe brewer of this invention can be shifted in their installation withinthe brewer of this invention, either during its fabrication, orsubsequent thereto, in order to accommodate and facilitate the usage andapplication of the brewer by its owner.

FIG. 6 discloses a bottom view of the assembled brewer disclosed inFIGS. 1 and 4. This corresponds to the lower plate 46 incorporating theseries of mounts 49 that threadedly engage the base member 2 into itsfabricated configuration.

FIG. 7 provides a back view of the apparatus with its back panel 23removed. As can be seen, the incoming electrical cable C, with itsstandard plug in receptacle is shown. In addition, the electricalreceptacle 56 is also noted, and also obtains its electrical energy fromthe cable C. An intake water line is available through the rear supportpanel 25, by means of the fitting 50. Any water taken herein is passedthrough a water strainer 51, passes through the water flow line 52, to ajunction 53. At the junction a further flow line 54 passes the waterthrough a electrically controlled or solenoid operated valve 55, forpassage of the water through a flow line 56, and 57, after its passagethrough the compound fitting 58, that extends through the upper flange24 of the rear support panel. The flow line 57 empties the water intothe pan P for eventual drainage into the water heating tank T during abrewing cycle. This particular type of water intake means, generally isemployed in the automatic cold water inlet supply type of delivery ofwater to the water heating tank T, through the automatic and timedoperations of this device. In addition to the foregoing, water at thejunction 53 may pass through a manual valve 59, which, when opened,allows water to flow through the flow line 60 and to the junction 61,where the water may be delivered, as a cold water supply, to any type offaucet that may be either permanently affixed to a control switch panel8, as previously explained, or perhaps be delivered to a flexibleconduit line, attaching with a more portable faucet (not shown) fordelivery and usage of water at some remote location. Or, this water maybe delivered to a supplemental heater, as a coil arranged within the hotwater tank, as will be subsequently described.

Electrical instrumentalities are further included within this rearsupport panel, and include electrical cable extending from the cable Cto the receptacle 56, with additional electrical lines 62 extendingupwardly to an electrical connector, as at 63, where further electricallines may extend downwardly, as at 64, to a switch control, as at 65,which further conducts charge by way of the electrical line 66 for thetimed operations of a solenoid, or other instrument, associated with theelectrical control 67, that operates the valve 55. Further electricalconnection, by way of the lines 68 extend to the electrical controls 69that furnish operations for the heater, the thermostat, and relatedelectrical controls normally used within a beverage brewer of this type.These are the type of electrical and related mechanical controls used inconjunction with this style of coffee brewer, and whether it be of thepour-in type, that initiates a brewing cycle, or of the automatic coldwater inlet supply type, that functions from the operations of a timer.Many of these controls are standard in the art.

FIG. 8 discloses a top view of the brewer, with its top wall 34 removed,so as to disclose the shape of the water inlet pan P therein, and itsdrain opening 70 that allows for the water to flow into the waterheating tank T, as previously explained. It is to be noted that thedrain opening 70 is held by means of a fastening nut 71, onto a lengthof pipe or nipple (not shown) that displaces the pan P upwardly andspacedly from the top 72 of the water heating tank T, and its coverplate. A simple removal of the retaining nut 71 allows for the pan to belifted upwardly, and removed. Likewise, the water flow line 57 connectsto a fitting, as at 72 provided through the back end of the said pan anddeposits cold water directly into the pan, during a predetermined andselect period of time, during usage of this brewer in the automaticmode. A shield 73 prevents splashing of the cold water as it exits fromthe fitting 72, and is delivered into the pan P.

The top wall 34 of the brewer is also disclosed in FIG. 9, showing whereits various apertures 74 are located, through which fasteners areapplied for securement of the top wall into position, and confinement ofthe various upper segments of the brewer into fixed condition,principally through the embracement by the various flanges 35 and 36 ofthe top wall, when located into a top closure position upon the side,front, and back walls or panels of the device. And, as can be furtherseen, where a pour-in port 37 is provided through the top wall, as canbe noted, it may be desirable to include a cover 75 for the opening,which cover may include a handle means 76 and be confined by means ofthe linkage, such as the chain 77, as noted, so as to prevent itsuntimely loss or misplacement.

The configuration of the control switch panel 8 is more accurately shownin FIGS. 10 and 11. This plate includes the plate means 78 as shown,having a variety of apertures 79 through 81 provided therethrough, andfor accommodating the mounting of the various switches and lights, 9through 11, as previously explained. In addition, proximate each cornerof the plate 78 is a rearwardly extending integral fastener, as at 82,and these fasteners are arranged for insertion through correspondingapertures, as provided at 83, through the various side walls 11 and 12and the upstanding front wall 20, depending upon just where it isdesired to locate the control switch panel within the brewing apparatus.Once the panel is located into position, the fasteners 84 may threadedlyengage upon their respective screws 82, internally of the identifiedwalls. The blank or closure plates 7 are constructed similarly, butwithout the mounted switches, as can be noted.

The arrangement of the various components within the brewer of thisinvention can be more accurately seen, in their top view, as in FIG. 13.The top of the upstanding front surface 20 is disclosed, as is the topof the transverse support 32, provided proximate the rear panel of theinvention. The upper segments of the various side walls 11 and 12,respectively, are shown. It is to be noted that there are variousflanges provided around the perimeter of the top of the housing, whenassembled, and these particular flanges will be described subsequentlyin greater detail Nevertheless, it can be seen that there are variousapertures, as at 85, provided through the side wall flanges 86, andwhich accommodate threaded fasteners useful for holding the top wall 34into position, when enclosed thereon. The forwardly extending portion 18of the front wall does have its aperture 19 provided therethrough, andit accommodates into position the spray head assembly 87 of thisinvention. The sprayhead assembly is designed to receive the flow ofheated water through its flow line 88, generally through a siphoningprinciple, which flow line 88 connects with the top plate 72 by means ofthe coupler 89 of the water heating tank T. The mounting of theelectrical thermostat 69 is also disclosed attaching with the coverplate 72. Various electrical connections are made by way of theelectrical lines 90 and 91, with the connection 90 being secured withthe limit thermostat 92, and the heating element being connected at 93and 94, and which heating is regulated by the mounted thermostat 97.

It can be seen that these various electrical controls, and their wires90 and 91, are connected, as at 95. During operations of this particularbrewer, when water either flows into the water heating tank by means ofthe pour-in deposit through the intake port 37, or when the water isautomatically flowed into the pan P by means of the timed release ofwater from the fitting 72, the water flows into the bottom of the tankT, as is customarily done in beverage brewers long available upon themarket, and with the hot water rising to the top of the tank and beingforced by the incoming cold water to flow through the flow line 88, intothe spray head held by the assembly 87, for discharge onto the groundscontained within any brew basket supported by and underneath of theforwardly extending wall 18 of the staggered front wall assembly.

FIG. 14 shows the details of the various components as previouslyidentified, and which includes the intake duct 96 arranged within thehot water tank T, having a thermostat 97 arranged in proximitytherewith, and the heating element 98 connecting by way of theelectrical connectors 93 and 94 as previously explained. As earliercommented, the bottom of the intake duct 96 opens proximate the lowersegment or bottom of the tank T, so that cold water will be depositedinto the bottom of the tank, forcing the heated hot water arrangedthereabove, to flow out of the fitting 99 and through the flow line 88,for dispensing from the spray head 100, of the assembly 87, aspreviously noted.

Also, it should be noted that a nipple 96a extends upwardly from theplate 72 communicating with the duct 96, and it is upon this nipple thatthe pan P secures at the location of its drain opening 70 and secured bythe nut 71 for direct delivery of incoming water to the hot water tank.

The spray head 100 is more accurately shown in FIGS. 15 through 18,which includes the spray head being assembly threadedly engaged to thethreaded end 101 of the water tube 88. A combination of washer 102 andnut 103 are provided for accommodation on the end 101, in order toassure a water tight seal and firm connection of the spray head withinthe spray head assembly 87. The spray head assembly includes a bracket105 which is secured by means of a gasket 106 arranged around theperimeter of the opening 19 provided through the forwardly extendingfront plate 18. A series of fasteners, as at 107 (see FIG. 12) areprovided for tight securement of the spray head assembly 104 into place.It can be seen that there are series of spray apertures, as at 107a,provided through the spray head 100.

The connection between the hot water tube 88 through the top plate 72 isachieved through the junction of a polymer fitting, as at 108 thatthreads or otherwise engages onto the inward end 109 that extendsthrough the top plate 72. The connecting member 89, secured by means ofthe fasteners 110 secure these components together. See also FIGS. 13and 14.

The location of the brew basket rails mounted to the underside of theforwardly extending portion 18 of the front wall 16 is shown in FIG. 15.These rails, as can be seen at 54 and 55, each include a base portion111, which is held by fasteners 112 to the underside of the surface 18.To accommodate the convenience of the insertion of the rails intoposition, each of the base portions 111 have an enlarged opening, as at113, into which the head of the fastener 112 generally at the frontinitially insert through, and then slide into a locking position withinthe more constricted portion of the opening 113. Then, simultaneously,the back end of the rails incorporate and opened slot, as at 114, forembracing the fasteners 112 located at the back end of the said rails.Finally, the intermediate fasteners 112 are then firmly tightened intoposition, for locking the rails into their fixed and operativelocations. Each rail includes a downwardly extending flanged portion, asat 115, to provide clearance for the sliding insertion of the contiguousbrew basket (not shown) as is well known in the art, for holding thebasket of filter supported coffee, or other, grounds into position forreception of the hot water received from the spray head 100, during theperformance of a brewing cycle. But, what is unique about this currentinvention, is that when the rails are maintained in the position asshown in FIG. 15, the brewer is a front disposed and operativeapparatus. But, where it is desired to utilize the brewer as either aleft side or right side disposed apparatus, then these rails may befreed and turned approximately ninety degrees, so as to dispose theiropen ends, as at 116, either into a left side, or the right sideclearance, of the brewer, to allow for the sliding insertion of the brewbasket from either of those lateral locations. This is simplyaccomplished through the removal of the intermediate fasteners 112, anda loosening of the end fasteners 112 located at either end of therespective rails. The rails are then slidingly removed, rotatedapproximately ninety degrees, to locate one rail at the back edge of thesurface 18, and the other rail proximate the front of the said surface.Hence, it can be seen that the fasteners 112 located at each corner ofthe surface 18 need not be removed, but only loosened to allow the railsto be turned about their apertures 113 and their slots 114 upon thecorner fasteners 112, and when that is achieved, then the intermediatefasteners 112 can be fixed into a tightened position within the threadedapertures 117 to provide for that lateral usage of the brewingapparatus.

Variations in the structure of the brewing assembly of this invention isshown in FIGS. 20 through 22. In this particular instance, the brewerincorporates the usual housing configuration as previously explained,having its base 2 supporting the upright column means 1 and itsforwardly cantilevered portion 4. In this particular instance, though,it can be seen that an auxiliary water faucet is provided at 118,mounted onto the surface of a control switch panel 8, and can be usedfor dispensing either tap water delivered through the flow line 60, andout of its junction 61 (See FIG. 7), or as will be subsequentlydescribed, additional heated water may be dispensed from the faucet 118,delivered from a supplemental hot water source operatively associatedwithin the water heating tank T, as will be later defined.

In addition, it can be seen that a further housing 119 is provided uponthe upper and back surface of the top wall 34, and it includes a warmingunit 120, heated by an electrical source, controlled by one of theswitches 121 in order to provide an elevated position for locating of anadditional decanter or beaker of brewed beverage, or water for thatmatter. The remaining components of the beverage brewer are related tothat which has already been previously described herein. This housingmay be fabricated having the usual walls held together by their fastenedend flanges (not shown), with a top wall mounted thereon. In addition,the warmer can have its control switches changed to various locations,or the housing itself can be rotated ninety or one hundred eightydegrees, to dispose the controls to the front or sides for theconvenience of its usage.

FIG. 23 discloses, once again, a bottom view of the brewer, of the typeas shown in FIG. 20.

FIGS. 24 and 25 disclose a similar type of beverage brewer as shown inFIG. 20, with the exception, in this instance, that the control switchpanel 8 has been moved from the front wall to the cantilevered portionof the right side wall 14. In addition, in FIG. 25, the control switchpanel 8 has been shifted from either the right or front walls to theleft side wall 11, so as to convert the brewer into a left side loadingand operative apparatus.

FIG. 26 shows a top view of the brewer shown in FIG. 20, disclosing itsvarious defined components.

FIG. 27 shows the same brewer with the top wall removed, to disclose itsvarious operative components therein, including the pan P and theincoming water line 122 that delivers water automatically when thebrewer is operating in the automatic supply mode. This method fordelivery is distinct from the structures shown and explained in FIG. 8.In addition, water can simply be poured into the pan P, through theintake port 123 as noted. The various other controls operate quitesimilarly to those which have been previously described.

FIGS. 28 and 29 show the control switch panel 124, containing thevarious apertures, as at 125 and 126 therein, and further including anadditional aperture, as at 127, which may contain a further electricalswitch, as for example, for effecting operations of the warming unit120, mounted upon the supplemental housing 119. The fastening of thepanel 124 through the agency of its threaded screws 128 and theattachment of its fasteners 129, has already previously been analyzed.

FIG. 30 shows a view of the back side of the unit as shown in FIG. 20,with the back wall removed, and similar to that already explained inFIG. 7, but in this particular instance it is to be noted that the coldwater inlet water line extends further upwardly, as at 130, and entersinto the water heating tank T through its connection 131. This can alsobe seen in FIG. 31, and it can also be noted that a further junction 132extends out of the cover 133 of the water heating tank, and connectswith a flexible water tube 134 for securement with the water faucet,partially shown at 135. This is the same water faucet as previouslydefined with respect to FIGS. 23 and 24, which in this particularinstance, delivers heated water to the faucet 135, for delivery ofsupplemental heated water for additional application and usage.

The remaining components as shown herein are similar to those which havealready been described with respect to FIG. 13.

FIG. 32 shows the relationship between the incoming auxiliary water line130, connecting to the junction 131, and the outlet junction 132. As canbe seen, heater means, in the fashion of a coiled heater, as at 136, isdisposed within the hot water tank T, and this coiled heater providesfor the flow of the segregated water through the heater water within thetank T, and which is heated by the heater means 137 located therein, asearlier explained, through the agency of the heat delivered by saidheater, in addition to the hot water generated within the water heatingtank T, during its functioning. Thus, the coil contained water also getsheated before delivery to the faucet. Once again, the remainingcomponents disclosed herein are similar to those which have already beenpreviously described.

FIGS. 33 through 35 disclose a variation upon the modular formedbeverage brewer of this invention. In this particular instance, thevarious components formed into the upper cantilevered portion 4, and theupright column means 1, are fairly identical to those structuresfabricated into the brewer of this invention, as already previouslyexplained. In this particular instance, though, the base member 2 hasbeen removed, from the style of brewer as shown in FIG. 1, and has beenreplaced by a column extension 138. This extension is fabricated fromstructural components, usually shaped metal fabrications, that aresecured together to form a front wall 139, side walls 140 and 141, and aback wall 142. These walls may include integral flanges (not shown) tofacilitate the connecting of the walls into the housing form. Similarflanges may be provided at upper and lower positions of these walls toaid in the connection of the extension to the bottom of the columnmeans, and to provide means for securement of any mounting meansthereto. In addition, mounting means, 143, of the type as previouslyexplained in FIG. 12, threadedly engage through the bottom wall 142a ofthe extension, in order to aid in the securement of this columnextension into a fabricated unit. The advantages for this style ofreplacement for the base means 2, or the addition of this modular typeof column extension means 138 to the bottom of the upright column means1, should be rather apparent. It extends the height of the cantileveredsection 4, and for that matter, the height of the entire housing, sothat the brewer can now be used for directly brewing a greater quantityof coffee, tea, or the like, and deposit it right into an air pot,enlarged tea decanter, or a similar type of beverage holder that is ofthe type having significant height, beyond that of the standard sizebeaker normally used for holding brewed coffee, as when used inconjunction with the standard coffee making apparatus.

FIGS. 36 through 38 show a further variation upon the modularized brewerof this invention. Generally, the brewer as shown in FIG. 36 isessentially that which has already been explained with respect to FIG.33, but in this particular instance, its column extension 138 has itsmounting means or pads 143 removed, and they are replaced through thethreaded engagement of extension legs 144 to the bottom of the member138. Thus, the height of the brewer is extended even further, and inthis particular instance, as can be seen in FIG. 37, one of the beveragecontainers, such as an air pot, or enlarged tea decanter, as generallyshown at phantom line at 145, can fit directly under the brew basket 146and have an ample quantity of tea, or other beverage, drip processeddirectly into it for brewing a rather large quantity of such beverage.This example, as explained with respect to these figures, provides aready indication as to just how the brewer of this invention is modularformed, can be quickly converted to a brewer for use in conjunction withother sized beverage containers, but yet continue to utilize the sameoperative and electronic components therein, for initially heating thewater within its hot water tank, and distribute the same to the brewingbasket, such as shown at 146, for delivery of a brewed beverage directlyto a container or decanter of a variety of shapes or sizes. Thus, all ittakes is a quick replacement of one component, in this particularinstance, simply the mounting pads 143, as previously explained, andreplacing them with the legs 144, for significantly elevating thebrewer, and its basket 146, to provide for a ready accommodation of adecanter having significant height.

The FIGS. 39 through 43 disclose how the custom beverage brewer shown inFIG. 36 is fabricated, disclosing it in various views, with thedisclosure shown in FIG. 39 providing a back view, with the back wallremoved, and disclosing just how the same electronic and mechanicalcontrols, as previously explained, function to operate the brewer, forpreparing a beverage either by the pour-in cycle of operation, ofthrough the automatic cold water inlet supply method used in conjunctionwith brewers of this type. FIG. 40 shows a top view of the brewer, withits top panel removed.

FIG. 41 provides a partial front view of the brewer, and showing theopening 147 within the upright front wall 148, and where the controlswitch panel, such as that as previously explained at 8, may beinstalled. FIG. 42 shows a similar type structure with respect to theside wall 149, disclosing the opening 150 where a control switch panelmay be mounted, so as to provide for a side disposed operative beveragebrewer, of the type as previously explained. The advantages for thishave already been explained, but generally herein disclose the facilitywith which the brewer of this invention may be quickly modified toprovide either a front or side brewer operative apparatus, and one thatcan be extended heightwise, as shown in FIGS. 33 and 36, to accommodatea larger sized or a decanter of greater height. FIG. 43 provides abottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 36. In this particularinstance, the spray head assembly 151 is noted, and the rails 152 and153 are shown, in this particular instance, providing for a frontloading of the brewing basket 146. In the alternative, and as previouslyexplained with respect to FIG. 15, these rails may be arrangedtransversly, so as to provide for the side loading type of brewer, whenused in conjunction with a brewer having its control switch panelarranged along one of the sides, such as explained with respect to theembodiment shown in FIG. 42.

FIGS. 44 through 47 disclose how the rear support panel 154 is totallyremovable from the brewer assembly. This has already been brieflyexplained with respect to the panel 22 previously described as shown inFIG. 12, but in this particular instance, the rear support panel isdisclosed holding its various electrical cables, and controls, aspreviously explained in FIG. 7. As can be seen, the rear support paneldoes include its upright panel 22, its upper and lower flanges 24 and25, respectively, the front panel 26, and the supporting flange 28. Inaddition, side flanges, as at 155 are provided integrally formed toeither side of the panel 154, to add reinforcement thereat, and tofacilitate the mounting of this panel intermediate the pair of sidewalls 11 and 12, as previously explained. What is significant, though,is that it can be clearly seen from these figures that the variouselectrical controls, electronic controls, valves, thermostats, filters,timers, and the like, all mount upon this particular rear support panel,so that when the brewer is initially fabricated, all of these controlscan be installed at one time, through the insertion of this ladenedpanel into the brewer assembly, and likewise, when a malfunction occurs,the entire panel and the controls can be readily removed, and replacedwith another, to significantly reduce servicing down time to a minimum.As previously explained, the entire support seats through the apertures25a upon the pins 42 of the base 38.

FIGS. 48 through 51 disclose a similar type of rear support panel 156,showing a variation upon the mounting of the various components thereon,but otherwise fabricated from a single blank of metal, or the like, tohold the various controls as explained.

FIGS. 52 through 54 show a variation upon the brewer wherein, onceagain, an auxiliary supply of water is heated for conveyance to afaucet, for independent dispensing. As can be noted, in this particularinstance, the water heating tank T has its intake tube 157 containedtherein, with water poured into its bowl shaped pan 158, either by thepour-in method, or by automatic cold water delivery, in the manner aspreviously described, being deposited directly through the tube 157 andinto proximity near the bottom of the tank T. The heating coil 159provides for heating of the water contained within the tank T, but inaddition, it can be seen that a coiled tube type of auxiliary water flowline 160 is arranged within the tank, at approximate its midpoint, wherethe water within the tank will have been previously heated, so that anywater that flows through the flow line 161, from an external source, andthrough the junction 162, provided through the wall of the tank T,enters into the coiled heater 160, is heated therein by conduction,through the transfer of heat from the heated water, and the submersionheater 159, located within the tank T. From this the supplemental watersource, now heated, rises through the tube 163, upwardly through theflow line 164 and out of the junction 165 for transfer through the flowline 166 and to the faucet 167, which has been mounted onto either theside or front of beverage brewer, and more specifically upon its controlswitch plate 168, in the manner as previously described. In thisparticular instance, through the manipulation of this faucet 167, anindependent source of hot water can be obtained by the user, withoutdrawing off any of the measured and gauged water contained within thetank T, and which has been separately and mainly heated for providing asource of hot water for delivery through the flow line 169 and to thespray head assembly 170, for delivery of its water to a beverage brewingbasket The difference between this particular invention, as shownherein, and that which has been explained in FIG. 32, is that the coiledauxiliary water flow tube 160 is arranged at approximately the midpointof the tank, above its heater, so as to be exposed to the heat generatedwithin the heater 159, and the hot water contained within the tank T. Inaddition, instead of using a pan style of pour-in receptor as previouslyexplained heretofore in this application, such as the pan P shown inFIG. 8, and elsewhere, in this particular instance, a bowl form of waterreceptor 158, that fits within and mates with the top of the tank T, isdisclosed. The automatic delivery of water to the bowl 158 can beattained through the flow line 171 with its delivery of water to thebowl 158 being controlled by a valve, such as the valve 55, aspreviously defined.

FIGS. 55 through 58 disclose in greater detail the fabrication of thevarious side walls 11 and 12, as previously identified with respect tothe description of the housing components as explained in FIG. 12. Inthis particular instance the left side wall 11 is shown, but the rightside wall comprises and is fabricated as a mirror image thereof. Asdisclosed, and as previously explained, the wall includes the uprightportion 13, the integral cantilevered portion 14, and the fabricatedopening 15 provided therethrough. Such openings are designed for eitherholding the control switch panel 8, or the closure plate 7, aspreviously explained. As can be noted in its top view in FIG. 56, alongthe top edge of the wall 11 there is provided an integral inturnedflange 172, and which has threaded lugs 173 soldered, welded, orotherwise secured to its under surface, and which accommodates thevarious fasteners such as threaded screws, that secure through the topwall 34, for holding it firmly in place upon the top of brewingapparatus. In similar fashion, the bottom of the wall 11 has an integralinturned flange 174, and which is useful for mounting of this side wall,and the upright column means of the brewer, onto the base member 2, aspreviously defined. It can be seen at various apertures, as at 175 areprovided therethrough, for accommodating the insertion of fastenerstherein. As can be noted in FIG. 57, which is a tack edge view of theside wall 11, various threaded fasteners, as generally shown at 176, arewelded to the interior surface of the said wall, and are disposed foraccommodating the support of various components thereon, such as therear support panel 154, when it is installed, such as through theinsertion of its located slots 177 onto select of the aligned fasteners176, as during installation. See also FIGS. 12, 45 and 46. Likewise, theupper fasteners 178 are disposed for mounting of the transverse bracket32, during its installation, as by inserting through their alignedapertures. These are examples as to how the various structuralcomponents, such as the side walls, of this brewing apparatus areprefabricated, shaped into particular configurations, have theirfasteners readily adhered thereon, in order to facilitate the promptassembly of the brewing unit into one of the modular forms as explainedfor this invention.

FIGS. 59 through 61 show the front panel, or the staggered front wall16, of this invention, in its various views. As can be seen, the walldoes include its upright portion 17, its forwardly extending portion 18,and the upright front wall 20, as previously explained. There are aseries of formed flanges, as at 179, integrally formed generallyextending rearwardly or upwardly from the various segments of the frontwall, with these flanges each incorporating prelocated apertures, as at180, therethrough, and through which the various side wall fasteners,such as previously explained at 176, locate therethrough foraccommodating the mounting of the front wall to the side walls duringbrewer fabrication. As can be also seen in FIG. 59, a variety offastener lugs 181 are disposed upon the upper surface of the forwardlyextending wall 18, and accommodate the various fasteners therein thatsecure the rails 54 and 55, in place, once they are installed either intheir front to rear configuration, or in the transverse position,depending upon whether a front or side loading for the brewing basket isrequired. As can also be seen, there are a series of threaded fasteners182 extending upwardly from the surface 18, and these fasteners arewelded or soldered into position for accommodating the installation ofthe spray head assembly 87 thereon. These screws cooperate with, forexample, the threaded nuts 107, for securement of the spray headassembly in place.

FIGS. 62 through 64 disclose the transverse support 32, which isgenerally arranged intermediate the upper back corners of the side wallsor panels 11 and 12, to provide stability or the structure at thatlocation, and to form part of the upper edges of the unit for supportand installation for the top wall or cover 34. This particularcomponent, as are many of the components for this invention, isfabricated from a single and unitary stamping, into the configuration asnoted in FIG. 12, and as shown in its various views in the identifiedfigures just alluded to. The device simply includes the stamping bentinto an angular configuration, having an upper flange 32a and anintegral downwardly depending flange 32b, with a downwardly dependingflange having tabs 32c extending forwardly, and incorporating a seriesof apertures therein, as noted at 32d, providing the spacing throughwhich select of the fasteners, as 178, may insert, for securement ofthis transverse support to the upper back corners of these walls 11 and12. Thus, this is another example as to how a singular stamping madefrom one sheet of metallic or other material may be pressed into itsusable configuration, and readily available for use in installationwithin the housing and structure of this beverage brewer, providing forits ready assemble into its usable configuration, from a variety ofmodularized components.

FIGS. 65 through 67 show the fabrication of the base member 2. Aspreviously explained, this base member is formed of the upper support38, which has the aperture 39 formed therethrough for mounting of awarming unit upon it. The upper support 38 includes the integral sideflanges 40, as previously reviewed, and which further include integralinturned lower flanges 183 and 184, respectively, and which containselect threaded openings therethrough, in addition to having retaininglugs 185 provided thereon, for furnishing means for securement of thepadded mounts 49, and their threaded fasteners 50, thereto. Reinforcingflanges 186, corresponding to the flanges 41 previously generallydefined, are bent and formed inwardly of the upper support wall 38, andthe side flanges 40 and 41, in order to reinforce the base member atthis location and to provide positioning for the lower plate 46. Theupper support surface 38 includes a pair of upstanding pins 187, forsupport of the insulator plate 43, as will be subsequently analyzed. Thebase member 2 is further fabricated incorporating the lower plate 46, aspreviously described, and further incorporates the integral front andrear flanges 47 and 48, to close off the base member at these locations,when this lower plate is installed into position within the uppersupport 38, as previously described. This combination, when fabricatedtogether, can be observed upon reviewing FIG. 12, as previouslyanalyzed. The upright wall 52 that separates the base member 2 intofront and rear compartments, is shown, and incorporates an insulatedaperture 188 therethrough, and through which the electrical line extendsfor connecting with and providing electrical energy to any warming unitmounted through the upper support aperture 39. This transverse uprightwall 52 is formed as an angle, as noted, to facilitate the weld orotherwise connection of its lower flange against the interior of thelower plate 46. Any electrical cable that extends through the insulatedaperture 188 also passes through the upper support aperture 189 providedthrough the said upper support wall 38, as can be noted.

The back wall 23 for the assembly is also shown in FIGS. 71 through 74,and is similar in construction to that which has already been explainedwith respect to FIG. 12. It includes its back wall 23, having the lowerand upper flanges, 30 and 31, respectively, with the bottom flangehaving the pair of aligned openings 190 therethrough, and disposed forfitting upon the pins 29, of the rear support panel, during itsinstallation. This provides for automatic alignment of the back wall 23with the upstanding flange 26 of the rear support panel, as the breweris being assembled.

A tank locating insulating plate as shown at 191 is shown in FIGS. 75and 76. This plate rests upon the upper support surface 38, with itsapertures 192 disposed for reception of a fastener that secures withinthe threaded lugs 193 of the upper support surface 38. The plate 191includes an aperture 194 therethrough and through which the electricalline may pass to any warming unit mounted within the opening 39. A pairof pins 195 are loosely arranged upright upon the plate 191, and aredesigned for locating of the water heating tank T, positioned within theupright column section 1 during its installation.

An accessory to the structure of this brewing assembly is shown in FIGS.78 through 81. This comprises a staggered type of double warming unit,as noted at 196, having a base unit 197 incorporating a riser unit 198,with each of these units incorporating their own warming units 199 and200, as can be seen. This style of double warming unit can beaccommodated, either by free standing or secured thereto, along the sideof the base member 2, for providing supplemental sources of heat forwarming of any additional beakers of beverage that may have been justpreviously brewed. In addition, various controls, such as the switches201 and the lighted signals 202 provide means for turning on each of theindividual warming units, with the lights indicating, when illuminated,when a particular warming unit is being electrically charged. This typeof a double warming unit may mount adjacent the base member 2, aspreviously explained, or it can be set directly upon the top wall 4 ofthe beverage brewer, to provide supplemental heating of containedbeverage at these locations.

FIG. 77 provides a very brief electrical schematic for this invention.The incoming electrical lines are shown at 203, and connect through thelower terminal block 204, and then connect through the upper terminalblock 63, as previously explained. The electrical charge is conductedthrough the thermostat 205, with a limit switch 206 providing means forfurnishing cut-out of the electrical power in the event that a short ofoverheating occurs. A tank heater 207, that is embodied within, forexample, the type of tank heating coil 98, as previously explained,furnishes electrical charge thereto. A timer jack 208 provides for thetimed delivery of water to the water pan P, and eventually to the waterheating T, when the automatic form of cold water inlet supplied mode isused. A lower warmer switch 209 furnishes electrical energy to anywarming unit mounted, such as the warming unit 3, provided upon the basemember 2. A plug-in jack 210 provides for the convenience of providingelectrical connection therewith. A ready light 211 indicates when theunit is in operation, and functioning.

Variations or modifications to the subject matter of this invention mayoccur to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the summary of thisinvention, and the description of its preferred embodiment. Suchvariations or modifications, if within the spirit of this invention, areintended to be encompassed within the scope of any claims to patentprotection issuing upon this development. The description of thepreferred embodiment set forth herein, and as shown in the drawings, isdone so for illustrative purposes only.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed and desired to besecured by Letters Patent is:
 1. In a modular fabricated custom formedbeverage brewer of the type incorporating a component formed housingcontaining a hot water heating tank regulated by controls for heatingwater delivered to the tank by one of an automatic cold water inletsupply or a pour-in type for heating and delivery of water to a sprayhead for discharge onto a basket of beverage grounds for dripping of abrewed beverage to a decanter for consumption, the improvement whichcomprises, said housing being convertible for multiple usage throughreplacement and relocation of select of its components during assemblyof the brewer housing, said beverage brewer incorporating a base member,an upright column means for use in containing the water heating tank,and an upper cantilevered portion mounted upon and extending forwardlyof the column means, said combined base member, upright column means,and upper cantilevered portion disposing a front, left, and right sidesfor the constructed brewer, and said brewer being adaptable forproviding one of a front, left or right side delivery of the decanter toand from the brewer during its application, control switch meansprovided upon the upper cantilevered portion, said control switch meansbeing connectable upon one of the front, left or right sides of the saidcantilevered portion, said control switch means being interchangeablebetween said front, left or right sides of the said cantileveredportion, and wherein said base member being interchangeable between oneof a forwardly extending base member, a vertically extending heightincreasing base member, or a laterally mounting base member for thebeverage brewer.
 2. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said forwardlyextending base member extending forwardly a distance equivalent to theupper cantilevered portion, said base member incorporating a decantersupporting warming means which when functioning sustaining the heatedtemperature of any brewed beverage contained within the emplaceddecanter.
 3. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said verticallyextending base member extending the combined height of the base memberand the upright column, and the cantilevered portion to adapt the brewerto accommodate a decanter of increased height.
 4. The invention of claim3 and including a series of legs securing to the extending base memberto increase the height of the brewer.
 5. The invention of claim 1 andwherein said lateral mount warming unit providing at least one of asingle or double warming unit for accommodating additional freshdecanters of coffee, or the like, for ready delivery by the user.
 6. Theinvention of claim 1 and including a warming unit mounting upon the saidbase member.
 7. The invention of claim 6 and including another warmingunit provided upon the top wall of the brewer.
 8. The invention of claim6 and including a pair of warming units provided upon the top wall ofthe beverage brewer.
 9. The invention of claim 8 and including a mount,and said mount securing upon the rearward portion of the top wall, andsupporting the said other warming unit at an elevated position withrespect to the front disposed warming unit supported upon said top wall.10. The invention of claim 6 and wherein said beverage brewing warmingunit laterally disposed of the base member incorporating at least oneadditional warming unit, a housing supporting said additional warmingunit.
 11. The invention of claim 10 and wherein said laterally disposedbase member being separated into front and rear portions, the rearportion containing a first warming unit, the front portion containing asecond warming unit.
 12. The invention of claim 11 and wherein said rearportion being of higher elevation than the front portion, with one ofsaid warming units being mounted upon the front portion, and the otherof said warming units being elevated in its mounting upon the reardisposed portion, and electrical connection provided with the warmingunits for conducting electrical energy to said warming units forselective operations of said warming units during operations of the saidapparatus, and control switch means interconnecting with the electricalconnections to provide for conduct of electrical energy selectively tothe various warming units upon selective operations of the apparatus.13. The invention of claim 1 and including a switch panel comprising aplate, said switch panel incorporating the control switch means, saidplate having means for accommodating the various brewer control switchesthereon and the front, left or right side of the cantilevered portion towhich said switch panel connects having an opening therethrough toprovide clearance for mounting of said control switches and said platethereon.
 14. The invention of claim 13 and wherein each of the front,left and right sides of the cantilevered portion having an openingtherethrough for accommodating the mounting of the switch panel thereto,and additional plate means provided for connection onto and for closingof the other said openings
 15. The invention of claim 1 and includingbrew basket supporting rails connecting to the underside of the uppercantilevered portion, and said supporting rails being interchangeablebetween a rear-to-front disposition and to a side-to-side arrangement toaccommodate the alternative usage of the brewer and its basket between afront and side installation.
 16. In a modular fabricated custom formedbeverage brewer of the type incorporating a component formed housingcontaining a hot water heating tank regulated by controls for heatingwater delivered to the tank by one of an automatic cold water inletsupply or a pour-in type for heating and delivery of water to a sprayhead for discharge onto a basket of beverage grounds for dripping of abrewed beverage to a decanter for consumption, the improvement whichcomprises, said housing being convertible for multiple usage throughreplacement and relocation of select of its components during assemblyof the brewer housing, said beverage brewer incorporating a base member,an upright column means for use in containing the water heating tank,and an upper cantilevered portion mounted upon and extending forwardlyof the column means, said combined base member, upright column means,and upper cantilevered portion disposing a front, left, and right sidesfor the constructed brewer, and said base member being interchangablebetween one of a forwardly extending base member, a vertically extendingheight increasing base member, or a laterally mounting base member forthe beverage brewer.
 17. The invention of claim 16 and wherein saidheight increasing base member designed for accommodating the usage of atea holding decanter for brewing of tea during operations of thebeverage brewer.
 18. The invention of claim 16 and wherein said variousbase members designed for incorporating at least one warming unitmounting upon the said base members for use in maintaining the heatedcondition of any brewed beverage contained within a decanter restingupon said warming unit.
 19. In a modular fabricated custom formedbeverage brewer of the type incorporating a component formed housingcontaining a hot water heating tank regulated by controls for heatingwater delivered to the tank by one of an automatic cold water inletsupply or a pour-in type for heating and delivery of water to a sprayhead for discharge onto a basket of beverage grounds for dripping of abrewed beverage to a decanter for consumption, the improvement whichcomprises, said housing being convertible for multiple usage throughreplacement and relocation of select of its components during assemblyof the brewer housing, said beverage brewer incorporating a base member,an upright column means for use in containing the water heating tank,and an upper cantilevered portion mounted upon and extending forwardlyof the column means, said combined base member, upright column means,and the upper cantilevered portion disposing a front, left, and rightsides for the constructed brewer, and said brewer being adaptable forproviding one of a front, left or right side delivery of the decanter toand from the brewer during its application, control switch meansprovided upon the upper cantilevered portion, said control switch meansbeing connectable upon one of the front, left or right sides of the saidcantilevered portion, and said control switch means being interchangablebetween said front, left or right sides of the said cantileveredportion.
 20. The invention of claim 19 and wherein said uppercantilevered portion having at least one decanter warming unit providedthereon and for use for accommodating additional fresh decanters ofcoffee for use in maintaining their warming condition during operationsof the beverage brewer.